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Thread: Old engines, future?

  1. #1

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    Old engines, future?

    So I would love to have a Waco RNF. Warner engine. Fewer and fewer parts, fewer and fewer places willing to overhaul. The Wrights are getting close to the same place and a host of other engines, are worse off. What's going to happen in the future. Will these airplanes only fly with a machinist standing by? Internal parts can (maybe) be made by automotive shops. Crankshafts? Cylinders? Mags?

    What is the future for these jewels of the past?

    Ernie

  2. #2
    rosiejerryrosie's Avatar
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    Boat anchors?
    Cheers,
    Jerry

    NC22375
    65LA out of 07N Pennsylvania

  3. #3
    Adam Smith's Avatar
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    Here's a website that can give you some hope:http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/proje...-build-history If it's possible to build a WW1 rotary from scratch, I think pretty much anything is technically possible. The cost is another matter. Plentiful, cheap supplies of military spares will be a thing of the past.

  4. #4
    JimRice85's Avatar
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    That same concern is what has kept me out of a Monocoupe. I want one with a radial, not a horizontally opposed.

  5. #5
    DanChief's Avatar
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    I'm learning to be creative and have a good, patient, understanding A&P/IA to work with.

    I have a Lycoming )-145-B2 in my Chief, and some parts are rare. There are several engines sitting in hangars which may yield some parts. Some can be manufactured -- there's still adequate technical data.
    ---------------------------------------------------
    Dan McCormack
    Smoketown, PA (S37)
    N24286, 1940 Aeronca Chief 65-LA (Lycoming O-145-B2)
    CFI
    http://flightmusings.blogspot.com/

  6. #6

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    I had no problems getting all the parts I needed to overhaul my Warner 165

  7. #7
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
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    Hey Tom, how ya doing


    I recently tuned up a Continental from 1952, had to hunt for parts...


    (T'was in an Oliver tractor)

    I need a sleeve for another... That's harder to find

  8. #8
    Aaron Novak's Avatar
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    Piston engines can always be overhauled, and parts manufactured for them. However dont expect there to be a catalog of parts, its going to be up to the overhaul shop ( or individual ) to do the "engineering" on replacement parts. At least the FAA is now able to release the drawings for older engines I am told.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Aaron Novak View Post
    Piston engines can always be overhauled, and parts manufactured for them. However dont expect there to be a catalog of parts, its going to be up to the overhaul shop ( or individual ) to do the "engineering" on replacement parts. At least the FAA is now able to release the drawings for older engines I am told.
    Would you mind giving the reference for those drawings, what data base are they in? I have never heard of the FAA keeping any drawings for engines.

  10. #10
    Aaron Novak's Avatar
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    I believe its something you have to request from them. Yes the FAA does have the drawings, engines, aircraft, everything that was certified, I have heard some have been destroyed over the years, but that the collection is pretty through. I have actually had good luck getting old drawings right from the manufacturers.

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